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Boy Scouts Considers Opening Up To Gay Youth

People around the Pacific Northwest are reacting Friday to news that the Boy Scouts may admit gay youth.

The Boy Scouts of America issued a statement saying the question of denying membership to gay youth is the most complex and challenging it faces.

The statement says that while opinions vary, adults and teens tend to agree that youngsters should not be denied the benefits of Scouting.

Bill Gaddes is a former scout master and has two sons in scouting in Hillsboro.

“Personally I think it’s fantastic. I’m excited to see a more universal stance on the part of scouts as a whole, recognizing the views of the membership as a whole.”

Under the national Boy Scouts resolution, gay youth would be allowed to join. But not gay leaders. The resolution also stresses that scouting is a youth program, and any sexual conduct by scouts is contrary to scouting virtues.